I just noticed that I had missed posting on May 29th and 30th.   Wow.   I must have been more tired than I thought.   Oh Well.   Here we are.

I went to the Milwaukee Highland Games today.    I left a little after 10AM so that I could get up there in plenty of time for lunch but late enough that the trials for the various contests were over.   The Games are that - Games.    They had Drum and Bagpipe Band competitions.  Stone throws, both men and women and the women champions could move up to the men's if they wished.  Also Hammer throws and the ever famous Caber Toss.   I simply find it unbelievable that these people can lift a telephone pole and toss it, mush less flip it.

I was able to see a The Tribe of the Blue Rose reenactment.   They do fights using old weapons, swords, spears, clubs and shields in full armor.   I knew about them from my friend, Mike Trefz, who was the man who delivered and fixed Dick's motorized wheelchair.   Mike walked in the house the first time and saw a Celtic Knot project on my table and commented on it.  The rest is history.    Today, I got to meet his wife, Amy, and see his adorable 6 week old son Preston.    I think it would be good to get the Tribe to one of our Celtic Women Gatherings.  

I visited the clan tables and picked up a super CD of  Contemporary Christia and Scottish Fiddle music from a group of people from Marshfield.   I listened to it on the way home and simply love it.

I also found Nancy's Sweet Nothings.   I got some of her baked goods at the Labor Day Highland Games a couple years ago.  So we had a good visit.  

I knew nobody but Mike but I talked to SO many people and everybody was so very friendly.   I even have some leads and information from a travel company that does custom tours of Scotland.    The gave me folders and a map.    I am delighted as I need STUFF to peruse as I take this journey.

I go home at about 5:30PM, a half hour late for Roxie's dinner.   Boy did I hear about that.

I forgot to tell you that they had a children's area.   I went over there because I saw all these little girls with pretty flower headpieces.   I got to the table and the sign said 13 and under.   So I begged.    And I have the prettiest headpiece you can imagine.   The lady running it told me that if anyone asked, I was to say I stole it from a little girl.   I also got blue beads from the Clan area.   I am getting quite a collection of them.

So.   A full and fun day.   Hope your weekend is going as well.

Jim and Michele are without power, so pray for them.  At least they were not hurt.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).

I had a whole day in the neighborhood.    Jody came at 8AM to clean for me.   About 9AM, the phone rang.   It was a dear friend, Jana Hertz, from California.   She was just thinking of me and called.   We had a nice catchup talk.     I had reconnected with her a while ago and then  Bret and I had lunch with her when I was in California.   I think I mentioned that.     She is one who remembers my Tony.   It is comforting to know that he is still remembered by some.

I did my very first welcome meeting with a new owner in Tall Grass.  Part of the secretary's job.  There is a welcome letter with contacts, a packet with FAQ about the condo rules and regs and a list of owners and phone numbers especially the Executive Board and Committee heads.    It was a pleasant visit and I was able to answer a couple questions and update my contact list with her email address.

Then I weeded a bit around the birdbath.   I finished sewing the second pillow sham that I am making for my bed.   Now I just need to clip and wash them and my bed will look nice.

I called my Bret tonight.  He was just getting ready to join Janett at the pub after she was done with work.   Then they are going out to dinner.   A nice way to end a work week.

Anyway, I have been busy all day.   Now I heard that a tornado or two touched down in the Oklahoma City area,   Must pray for our Jim and Michelle. 

So the time has come to start winding down for the night.

Tomorrow I am going to the Highland Games in Wauwautosa.   Should be fun.   I can learn more about Scotland and perhaps find help for the trip I want to plan.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

I am sitting here winding down, with a very contented loudly purring kitty sitting on my desk just enjoying being together.

I was busy today.   I got up at 6AM with Roxie.   I had noticed that I was out of Alterra decaf coffee so decided to go to the Exchange Bank for coffee and a sweet roll for breakfast as I did the rest of my errands.  I sent word to my Celtic Friends.   Sometimes I have someone join me, sometimes not.  Today, my friend Janet Bieschke came and we celebrated an hour of morning together.   Nice way to start a day.

Then I drove to the City Yard to drop off the weeds and branches etc, that Marilyn cleaned out of my back yard the other day.  No one else was there and the heavy rain we had had most of the morning died down enough that I did not end up a drowned rat in the process.


Next I went grocery shopping.   That was easy.   Don't usually need much these days.

Last, I stopped at Community Bank to sign the papers so that I can be an authorized signature on checks for the Condo Association.   Each check needs two signatures and there are four possible people.

Then I was able to be home until 3PM.   Rita, my neighbor, who needs your prayers stopped by with a newsletter from SCHRC all about Irish for me.   We shared a nice cup of tea and a visit.

Did a couple loads of wash this afternoon.  Then the condo board had a meeting to be sure that we are all on the same page and to address a couple of serious concerns that the building and grounds people had received.

Home again,  I fixed a supper and then went down to the den to work on the shams that I am making for my bed to go with the denim bedspread.  I assembled one and hope to do the other tomorrow.   Then I just need to clip the edges and wash to make it frizzy.

I think it is time for me to settle down for the night.   I have a doctor appointment tomorrow at 9:30AM and will have to put the trash out in the morning.    Jeff is coming in the afternoon to help me replace some blinds.   So it will be busy too.

So far Thursday has nothing on it .   Hope I can keep it that way.
So goodnight all

Dia Dhuit

Mary


I think it is time to settle

This day that was supposed to be very very quiet turned out to be very very busy.

For one thing it was cold and while I was gone for one of my busy things, it rained.   So I ahve my flag, which I put out yesterday, drying in the hall.  Don't worry, the flag is not touching the floor.   It is just drying.

I started out getting up with the cat at 6am because I got a call from my neighbors, the Bernaurs, Bailey Cat's humans, asking if I would like to go to mass at St. Fridolin's church out in Glenbulah for the Memorial Day Mass.   This is the only mass that I know that is regularly scheduled at this very quaint lovely little church.   So many small churches have been abandoned.   This one is at least being maintained.   So, I thought, why not.   They also had another neighbor, my friend, Rita who needs the prayers for ALS, with them so we in Tallgrass were well represented.   We also ran into my neighbor Jean, who gives me her papers.

After that, I did some computer work and got ready to go to Mother's by noon so I could lunch with George and Betsy and Mom..    That was such a joy.   I have not seen George and Betsy for quite a while and we always enjoy visiting.   They just came back from a special tour of Italy.   I may have to add Italy to my bucket list.  It sounded SO wonderful.    I would find out their tour company.

They brought a broasted chicken dinner with potatoes and salads and I brought the rhubarb pie that I baked yesterday.   Everything was SO good.  Especially the company.   George share pictures of their trip.  Then Randy and Donna came in.   So we got to visit a bit, but then we saw that Mother was getting so very tired, so we all made sure that everything was cleaned up and left her to rest.

I am actually glad that it is time to think about bed.    I finished several projects when I got home, had some leftover chicken and pie for supper and am ready to call it quits.   I tried to call a couple of people just to talk but nobody was home so I guess that is a sign that I need to be happy with just me.
 I may try someone else before I go to bed.

I just hung a map of Scotland on the wall.  I need one so that I can start picking out spots that we want to include in the Scotland tour next year or early 2015.

If you want to join us, let me know

Dia Dhuit

Mary

A full day at home.   Roxie was so delighted.  She just kept occasionally murmuring at me and snuggling.

I was, of course, busy all day.   I spent part of the morning on getting my files and lists ready for my stint as the Tallgrass Condo Secretary.   Then I went downstairs and cut out the rest of the blocks for the pillow shams for my bed.   I have it all laid out, so tomorrow  I will start sewing it together.  

I was also on a baking frenzy today.    I made Irish soda bread and Irish brown bread this morning.   Then, this afternoon, I baked a rhubarb cream pie.

George, my brother, called today.   They are in town. They were at Mother's when they called and are   bringing lunch to her tomorrow.  They invited me to join them which will be such a treat.   I will be bringing the rhubarb pie that I baked today.    I have to save one piece for my friend Allison because I promised.

Marilyn Bordeau, a neighbor who does lots of work on the lawns, came over and cleared out a lot of brush, trees and weeds from my back area.  The people who owned the condo before, put in a garden area back there.   This is not a part of the condo's landscaping so has to be maintained by the owner.  I was able to the first couple of years, but am not able to any more.   I do maintain the area around the bird bath.   She simply cleaned it out, not weeded but got rid of dead stuff and cut trees that were growing everywhere and exposed the cut tree stump that is in the shape of a heart.    I don't think I ever told you about that.    I am going to carve Dick's and my initials on it.   Then I will take a picture and post it for you.

I had enough rhubarb from my own plants from my back garden, but Kathy, another neat neighbor brought me a nice bunch from her sister's house.   I can make some muffins too.  Yea.    I love rhubarb.

So have a nice Memorial Day.   As you can see, I will.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

Quote:
Philip Neri prayed, "Let me get through today, and I shall not fear tomorrow."